Washing machine



Nov. 6 1923. 7 30 W. H. VOSS WASHING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 605605115 Ira/621 50 6$w V655.

Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. VOSS, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed Kay 2, 1919. Serial No. 294,235.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM H. Voss, a citizen of the United States, residin at Davenport, in the county of Scott and tate of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in \Vashing Machines, of which the following is the specification.

This invention re ates to washing machines, and has particular reference to that type of machine comprising an oscillating tu although certain features of the invention are capable of application in other forms of machines.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide an oscillating type washing machine ln-which the arrangement of parts is of the maximum simplicity, and which comprises only those parts which are absolutely necessary for the performance of the proper functions; further to rovide an oscillating tub that will stand still for a fraction olf a second at each end of its tilt to permit the water to surge from one end to the other and-have time to gain its full momentum; further, to provide a novel arrangement and form of drivingmechanism; further, to locate the driving mechanism under the tub and close the same in to prevent injury to the operator; further, to effect a novel mountin of the doors to permit among other things the automatic openin of the same, should ones hand become caug t between the tub and the door; further, to provide means for lifting the supporting casters free from the floor to prevent movement of the machine thereon; further, to provide a novel construction of the tub and lid; further, to provide means for normally holding the tub in horizontal position when not in operation and to prevent lurching of the tub when the clothes surge quickly to one end or the other; further, to make possible the adjustment of tension in the means last recited; further, to insulate thetub to prevent excessive loss of heat from the contents thereof; further, to effect a more simple, economical and efficacious washing machine; and such further objects, advantages, and capabilities as will later more fully appear.

My invention further resides in the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawlugs, and while I have shown therein a referred embodiment, I wish it to be un erstood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a washing machine embod ing my invention, a portion of the side wal s being omited for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section through Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view partly in section showing the mechanism for lifting certain of the casters clear of the floor.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section through Fig. 1.

vFig. 5 is a detail view partly in section showing the connecting rod.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken below the tub.

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view of a portion of the driving mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, my improved device comprises the supporting frame indicated generall at A and havin legs 1 which, as seen in Fi .6, are tonne of angle irons suitably brace by cross braces 2 and 3, upon the latter of which are mounted opposite each other boxings 4, in which are journaled the bearings 5 of the tub 6. By this construction it is seen that the tub may be oscillated on the bearings 5 uponthe application of power thereto. The tub proper consists of a metal water-receiving inner portion or receptacle 7, which has formed therein the pro ections 8 pressed from the body of the metal, which projections serve as rubbing surfaces. I

Secured to each side face of the receptacle 7 are the plates 9, preferably of wood, which, as seen in Fig. 4, extend a shortdistance beyond the margin of the receptacle 7. Upon the side plates 9 are secured the metal plates -10, which carry the bearings 5 referred to above. The lates 10 extend below the bottom of the side plates 9 and form supports or bearings for the rod 11, which extends across the underneath face of the tub, preferably in the same vertical plane with the center of gravity of the tub.

Secured to the edges of the side plates 9 and spaced from the bottom of the inner ortion7 is the outer casing 12. The s ace ormed between the outer casing 12 an the inner portion 7 is filled with insulating material 13, which may be any suitable non conductor of heat whereb to prevent excessiige loss of heat from the contents of the tu I have provided a novel form of mechanism for oscillating the tub, which comprises a toggle joint having the lever arm 14 pivoted at 15 to the bracket 16 which in turn is suitably secured to the supporting frame, as clearly seen in Fi s. 2 and 4. The lever arm 14 is of bifurcate formation at its upper end, between the upper extremities of which is pivotally mounted at 17 the link arm 18, which at its opposite end is pivoted to the rod 11, preferably at about its mid position. Piercing the bifurcated portion of the lever 14 are a plurality of openings 19, within any pair of which may be mounted the pin 20, which serves as a pivot for the head 21, having at its free end a recessed portion through the opposite sides of which are formed a pair of openings in alignment whereby to receive the pin 22, which in turn passes through an opening in one end of the connecting rod 23. As will be readily understood, the pins 20 and 22 form a universal joint whereby the connecting rod is capable of movement in all directions.

The opposite end of the connecting rod is provided with a recess 24 adapted to slidably receive the boxing 25, which in turn is carried by the crank pin 26 of the crank arm 27, mounted on the drive shaft 28. Passing through the opposite sides of the projections forming the recess 24 are openings to receive the pin 29, which in turn passes throu h an opening formed in boxing 25 where y, as will be readily seen, the con necting rod 23 is capable of lateral swinging movement with relation to the boxing 25.

Referringhto Figs. 2, 5, and 6, it will be or out of operation 'as' desired. The free end of the clutch lever 33 is pivotally connected to the link 40, which in turn has connection with crank 41, formed on the bottom of the vertical rod 42, which rod .is suitably mounted in bearings in the supporting frame, and carries at its upper end the handle 43, by rotation of which handle the clutch hub 30 may be moved along the shaft 28 to throw the driving shaft into or out of operation as desired. Since the crank arm 27 is carried b the hub 30, longitudinal movement of t e latter will also cause a lateral movement of the crank arm. This lateral movement of the crank arm 27 will I,

Fixed upon the shaft 28 is the gear 45,

which in turn meshes with the pinion 46, fixed upon the shaft 47, upon \vh'ch shaft is also mounted the belt wheel 48, which may be driven from any suitable source of power. Rotation of the belt wheel 48 will, through the medium of the pinion 46 and gear 45, cause rotation of the drive shaft 28, and

through the crank arm 29 and connecting rod 23, and toggle members 14 and 18 impart an oscillating movement to the tub. Also fixed upon the shaft 28 is the gear. 49 meshin with the gear 50, which latter gear is fixef upon the shaft 51, which carries upon its outer end the mitre gear 52, which, through the medium of the gear 53, causes rotation of the vertical shaft-54 to transmit rotation to the wringer, as will be clearly understood. The wrlrzger forms .the subject matter of my co-pen mg ap lication, Serial No. 262,7 82 filed November 16, 1918, to which reference is here made for the con struction thereof.

Mounted upon the plate 10 is the flange 55, to which are secured coil springs 56, which are at the opposite end, respectively secured to the anchors 57. As is seen in Fig. 2, the anchors 57 pass throu h brackets 58 mounted upon the legs 1, and y means of the screw threads and nut 59, the anchors 57 may be moved longitudinally with relation to the bracket 58 whereby to increase or decrease the tension of the springs 56 as desired. These springs normally tend to hold the tub in horizontal position when not in operation, and to prevent undue lurching and jerky motion of the tub when the latter is in operation, thus insuring a much more even and smooth operation of the tub.

Secured in the bottom of the legs 1 are casters 60 of the usual form, to facilitate movement of the machine over the floor. In order to prevent rolling of the machine on the casters when the tub is in operation, I have provided vertically slidable rods 61, mounted in the arms or brackets 62, secured to one side of the machine adjacent the leg 1. Upon the bottom of the rods 61 are the heads 63, adgised to contact with the floor when the r are depresed. Rotatably mounted in suitable brackets on the supporting frame is the horizontal shaft 64, carrying upon its outer end the crank handle 65, and at points directly above the upper end of the rods 61, the cams 66, as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 4. Each of the cams is provided with the projection 67, which acts as a stop to prevent excessive rotation of the cam at the end of the desired movement in either direction. As seen in Fig. 2, the came 66 are of such formation that, upon "rota' tion in a counter-clockwise position, when standing as shown in this figure, the rods 61 to cause the heads 63 to contact with the floor, after which contact the continued rotation of the cams will elevate the casters 60 from the floor, thus transferring the weight on this side of the machine to the rods 61.

As is obvious from the drawings, rotation of the cams 66 will be effected by the operation of the crank handle 65. In order to cause the rod 61 to normally stand in the elevated position, I have provided the coil spring 70, which encircles the rod 61 and is confined in compressed position between the bearing 62 and the pin 71 carried by rod 61. This arrangement causes the rod 61 to move upwardly when the cam is moved in a direction to bring it into the position shown in Fi 2. The rods 61 in Fig. 3 are shown in a epressed position with the casters-60 on this side of the machine raised from the floor. Accidental movement of the cam 66 beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 is prevented by the projection 67 referred to above.

As seen in Figs. 4 and 6, I have provided side walls 70 surrounding the supporting frame to form the housin for the mechanism beneath the tub. Plvotally mounted at each end of the machine by means of hinges 71 are doors 72, preferably formed with the inner part of wood, covered with metal on the outside, but it is obvious that they may assume various forms of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention. Secured adjacent the free edge of the door is the resilient tongue 73,

rovided adjacent its end with the projection 4, which projection is -of such formation that it may, under the resiliency of the tongue 73 be forced in either direction past the projecting flange 75 of the leg 1.

By this arrangement, should the operators hand inadvertently become caught between the u per edge of the door (see Fig. 2)

and t e tub, a very slight pressure upon.

the hand by the tub would cause the door 72 to fly open, due to the resiliency of the tongue 73, and thus automatically free the operators hand or arm from between these parts. In order to permit the ready removal of these doors, should it be desired to decrease the width of the machine for passing through doors, the upper end of the will depress hinges is bent over to provide extension 7 6, whereby. these hinges may be quickly and easily withdrawn to remove the door.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the tub is provided with the lid 80, having flanges 81 whereby to fit snugly within the opening of the tub upon the two ends, and with the flanges 82 to facilitate a snug fit of the lid at the sides of the tub.

As is well known, more or less pressure is set up within the tub as a result of the steam and vapor arisin therein from the heat of the contents of the tub. To provide for the escape of such vapors and prevent the creation of undue pressure within the tub, I have formed a plurality of openings 83, extending through the top of the lid and falling substantially in a straight line transversely of the lid, through which openings the ressure will be automatically relieved. water through the openings 83, there is formed on the under side of the lid and beneath these openings the trough-shaped barrier or baffle 84, as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 4. This barrier terminates at each end a substantial distance from the sides of the tub, whereby to permit any water that mav find its way thereabove to be drained baclc into the tub. This baflle will prevent the water within the tub from splashing through the openings 83 during the oscillation of the tub.

From the shape of the ends of the tub, it will be seen that a more effective washing n order to preventthe escape of 1 action of the water will be obtained as a end of the tub, being forced to follow the curvature thereof and forcibly directed downwardly upon the to of the clothes or other contents of the tub. The insulating material 13 will also greatly increase the efliciency of the tub by preventing excessive loss of heat through the walls of the tub.

By my novel arrangement of toggle device for driving the tub, I obtain not only an equal throw of the tub on both sides of the vertical center line, but also I overcome the objections of the fast and slow movement heretofore present in oscillating tubs. The throw of the tub may also be increased or decreased by selectively changing the pin 20 from one to the other of the holes 19 in lever arm 14, as desired. I referabl form the connecting rod 28' an the lin arm 18 of wood, but it is obvious that other materials may be used in this connection if a tub pivotally mounted directly thereon, a drive shaft having a crank arm, :1. connecting rod on said crank arm, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame and oscillated by said connecting rod, and a link pivotally connected to said lever and tub respectively to oscillate the tub on the frame.

2. In a washing machine, a support having atub pivotally mounted directly thereon for oscillating movement about an axis, only, a drive shaft having a crank arm, a connecting rod on said crank arm, a lever pivotally mounted on said support and oscillated by said connecting rod, and a link arm pivotally connected to said lever and tub respectively, said link arm being pivotally connected with the under side of the tub intermediate the ends thereof.

- 3. In a washing machine, a support, a, tub pivoted on the support for motion only about an axis, a bearing on the under side of said tub, alever arm pivoted on said support, a. link arm pivotaily connected at its ends to the free end of said lever arm and to said bearing respectively, a connecting rod pivoted to said lever arm, a drive shaft having a crank arm, said crank arm being (pivotally connected to said connecting r0 and a clutch for throwing said drive shaft into or out of driving connection with a source of power as desired.

4. In a washing machine, a support, a tub pivotally mounted thereon, a bearing on the under side of said tub, a lever arm pivoted on said support, a link arm pivotally connectedv at its ends to the free end of said lever arm and said bearing respectively, a connecting rod pivoted to said lever arm, a drive shaft having a crank arm, said crank arm being pivotally connected to said connecting rod, and a clutch for throwing said drive shaft into or out of driving connection with a source of power as desired, and means in said lever arm to permit variation of the height of the point of connection of the connecting rod therewith.

5. In a washing machine, a tub, a drive shaft having a crank arm thereon, a connecting rod pivotally cpnnected to J said crank arm by means of a universal joint'to prevent cramping of said connecting rod with relation to said crank arm, and means associated with said connecting rod and said tub whereby rotation of the crank arm will oscillate the tub.

- 6. In -a washing machine, a support, a

tub, a drive shaft, a'motion magnifying con-v nection on said support, a crank arm on said drive shaft, and a connecting rod connected at its respective ends by means of a uni versal joint to said crank arm and said toggle device.

7. In a washing machine, a. support, a tub, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said support, a link arm connecting the free end tub, a connecting rod connected by means of a universal joint to said lever arm, a drive shaft having a crank arm, a, boxing on said crank arm, said connecting rod receiving said boxing and pivotally connected therewith for movement at right angles to the plane of rotation of said crank arm, whereby rotation of said drive shaft will oscillate said tub and said connecting rod be at all times free from any cramping strains.

8. In a device of the class described, a tub, a drive shaft having a crank arm thereon, a boxin on said crank arm, a connecting rod pivota 1y connected to said boxing to permit swinging movement at right angles to the plane of rotation of said crank arm, and means connecting said connectig rod with said tub whereby the tub will be oscillated upon rotation of the drive shaft.

9. In a washin machine, a support having a tub pivotal y mounted thereon, a motion transmitting device pivoted to said support and said tub, a connecting rod connected to said motion transmitting device, a drive shaft having a crank arm operative- 1y connected to said connecting rod, a sliding clutch on said drive shaft, a lever pivoted to said support and operatively engaged with said clutch, a rod extending to the u per part of said support said rodhaving a' andle on its upper end and having connection at its lower end with said lever whereby and an outer casing secured to the side lates in spaced relation with said wall an contar-ting therewith only around said opening.

11. In a washing machine, a tub rov'ided with a water receiving chamber having rigid side plates, pivotal supporting means attached to said side plates, an outer casing secured to said side plates in spaced relation with the rest of said chamber, and a filling of insulating material within the space between said tub and said casing.

12. In a washing machine, a support having a tub oscillatably mounted thereonQdriving mechanism on said support beneath said tn walls secured around the sides of the support to house in the driving mechanism, doors in said walls adjacent the ends of the tub, and releasable fastening means for said doors arranged to permit said doors to fly open shoul the operators hand become caught between the tub and the door.

13. In a washing machine, a support, a tub mounted for oscillation thereon, walls secured aroundthe sides of the su port, a. door in said walls adjacent the en of the tub, and a resilient catch for holding said door closed, the operating surfaces of the catch permitting the door to move to closed position when open, and to open position when closed, by the application of pressure upon the door, whereby the closed door will automatically open. should the operators hand become caught between the tub and the door.

14. In a washing machine. a support. a tub, walls around said support, a hinged door in said walls adjacent the end of the tub, a catch adapted to secure together the adjacent parts of the free edge of the door and the support. said catch comprising a resilient tongue on one of said parts and a shoulder on the other. said tongue having a rojection adjacent its free end inclined on lioth sides whereby in both closing the door and opening it. said projection will ride over said shoulder upon pressure applied to the door whereby should the operators hand become caught between the top of the door and the tub, the door will fly open.

15. In a washingmachine, a support, a tub, walls around said so port, hinged doors in said walls, and quick y removable hinge pins in said doors to permit the quick removal of the doors to reduce the width of the machine in passing through doors or the like.

16. In a washing machine, a support having side Walls, a movable tub on said support, one of said walls being pivotally connected to another of said walls and having a. portion thereof normally near an end of the tub, said portion being yieldable with relation to said one of said walls to move away from the end of the tub when an obstruction enters between the end of the tub and the pivoted wall.

17. A casing, an oscillatory tub associated with the casing, said casing extending around the tub, a door on the casing proximate to an end of the tub as the latter oscillates, said door and casing having means for normally holding the door in closed position but yielding to permit the door to open upon the entry of an obstruction between the end of the tub and the door.

18. In a washing machine, a support, a tub oscillatably mounted on said support, a. toggle device for oscillating said tub, a drive shaft. a hub slidably mounted on said shaft, a crank arm carried by said hub, a pin in the shaft, a clutch face on said hub, means for sliding said hub to cause said face to engage said pin to throw said crank arm into or out of operation as desired, a connecting rod extending between said crank arm and said toggle device, and universal joints between said connecting rod and said crank arm and toggle device whereby to prevent cramping of said rod as the crank arm is moved longitudinally of said shaft.

In witness whereof. I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. VOSS.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM E. PULs, Haaom J. Evans.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified .that in Letters Patent No. 1,473,130, granted November'fi, 1923, upon the aFplication of 'illiam H. Voss, of Davenport, Iowa, for an improvement in 'ashin Machines, errors appear in the printed specification renix-in? correction as allows: Page 4, lines 61 and 62, claim 6, for the words tog e device read motion magnifying connection; same page, line 83, claim 8, for t e misspelled word connectig." read connecting,- and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of January, A. D., 1924.

[mu] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

